Final answer:
The genre of the oratorio is 3) Oratorio, which is a form of choral music that often focuses on religious themes and is performed without theatrical staging, although it shares similarities with operas in its musical composition. Originating during the Renaissance, it continues to be a celebrated form in classical music repertoire.
Step-by-step explanation:
An oratorio is a large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices, typically a narrative on a religious theme, without the use of costumes, scenery, or action. It is similar to opera in its musical form but distinguished by its concert performance and the lack of theatrical staging. The genre of an oratorio is 3) Oratorio, which is a form of choral music that emerged as a significant genre during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, often drawing upon Biblical texts and featuring soloists, chorus, and orchestra.
During the Renaissance, secular music genres such as the madrigal were instrumental in paving the way for other complex forms like the oratorio. The increase in music as entertainment and the demand for skilled composers and musicians led to the blossoming of various musical creations, including the birth of opera from the attempt to resurrect ancient Greek music. The oratorio remained a key expression of choral music, carrying the emotional and dramatic weight through music alone, and it continues to be appreciated in classical music programs around the world.